40 grand a year

so what's the actual wage if the amount after tax is £40k? Because £40k gross and net are very different amounts. People usually refer to their 'wage' as the amount before any deductions, not what's left after so you're probably going to get some slightly confused responses if you actually mean a salary of about £50k. Is the £40k after NI, any SL deductions and union/membership fees as well?

£1500-1700 seems steep if you're looking at a 2 bed property? Will you be studying, if so you might be able to claim SPD on council tax which will save a bit (unless RR gets rid of it in the budget....)

Last year I earned a shade over £16K, and have a very comfortable life, its all purely relative to what you want from it I guess.

Ffs all you saying its not enough are completely out of touch with how most of us live. How much do you think your cleaners, the shop workers and bus drivers earn? Three fucking holidays a year and you think you're on the fucking breadline. Unbefuckinglievable.

Depends on so many different factors!

A decade ago me and DH were very young with a baby and his salary was barely more than 20k whilst I was a SAHM. But we had a lovely little HA house with incredibly affordable rent and received working/child tax credits which topped up the income considerably so we were absolutely fine.

Now we have about 70k (before tax)ans a family of four and i feel very comfortable- no money worries at all. But we have manageable mortgage payments, no school fees, no childcare fees, no fancy cars on finance etc etc. To some people that same salary wouldn’t stretch as far.

You could survive on it but you won’t be ‘comfortable’ I’m afraid. I’d consider selling your existing property to try and buy here.

Single yes. For Family its tight. My family always single income, now our income doubled on that. But i remember have £40k and its tight. Doable but tight.

You will have 20 to 22k left after rent.

As two adults with one adult child at home we spent 28k last year with zero housing costs as mortgage is paid off. Actual basic housing utilities were 6k, food was 7k, council tax was 1700. I have a lot of time to shop for food deals as retired.

You can survive on 20k after your rent is paid but it will be all basic bills paid and a fund for if stuff needs replacing but not much for holidays or fun stuff.

You'd need a guarantor for rent. You wouldn't pass the financial checks for that rent on 40k. Too tight imo.

Frankly, it depends on the rent/mortgage deal. I wouldn't be struggling but I have been very lucky with my housing costs.

Sadly, most mumsnetters are under the (deluded) impression think that if you don't earn six figures, you will have to live on bread and gruel and burn furniture to keep warm.

Missed the bit about it being after tax, I still think it would be too right with a rent that high.

No chance.

Because the OP said it's £40k after tax.

£3300 is before tax.

Because they think taking 3 holidays a year is barely getting by 🙄

40k salary is about £2600ish take home pay, so if your rent is already1700 then it isn't leaving you much for the bills, savings or any disposable income.

I consider this a decent wage for one person, but as a household income, not so much, and especially with a rent that high, it would be difficult.

Whoops, forgot council tax. Ours is £125 a month is wales.

It's about £3,300 so leaves you about £1,600 after rent. Council tax in Wiltshire is nearly £250 a month for a band D. I reckon we spend about £120 a week on food for 2 adults and a child. This leaves you maybe £800ish for insurance, transport, fuel, food/clothes, phones, internet. Should be fine initially as long as you don't put 2 cars on lease.

It depends on other outgoings I guess.

Just for some idea of likely costs, here is ours per month roughly, for a 4 bed house. Though a lot of these will vary depending on circumstances.

mortgage £1200
Elec £100
Gas £100 (average, a lot more in winter)
Water £40
Mobile contract sim only £30
broadband and tv £60
TV Licence £13
Car insurance £40 a month for 2 cars
Home insurance £20
School lunches £80 a month (high school)

The South West is very expensive for private rentals because the tourist market is more lucrative than long term lets, so there aren’t many. Unless you have family there to help with childcare while you both work, you’ll find it a struggle to get by on one income or even two incomes plus after school and holiday childcare.

It's definitely doable if you're not ones for extravagance but you will probably have forgo luxurys such as holidays abroad, lots of new clothes areas of living etc. We are on double that but don't have much spare we have 3 kids and live in a four bed semi in a nice area in the north east. Our grocery bill is as much as our mortgage every month as is the childcare so essentially paying the mortgage amount 3 times over plus all the other bills etc. It all depends on your essential and non essential outgoings though which only you can really determine or change to fit according to what you need.

Home owning lone parent on that salary and I struggle a lot. I feel like I had more spare cash when I was renting and on UC. I meticulously went through my spending over the course of 3 months and I can't cut anything, I have no subscriptions and my children are in cheap wraparound at school. All it would take is a dental bill or my glasses breaking and I would be under.

What's the monthly take home? That rent is very high. Most posters saying they live/ lived on less won't be paying anything like that in rent/ mortgage. You really need to lay it all out.

If you aren't from the UK, then depending where you are from you could be in for a real lifestyle shock. Maybe if you give an idea of the type of property you will be renting posters could give an idea of the other bills they pay in similar accommodation and area. Council tax you can look up online. Don't forget car/ public transport costs.

Indeed. Barely comfortable doesn't mean you can 'only' afford 3 holidays a year 🙄